Can eye diseases be inherited?

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Can eye diseases be inherited?

Yes, genetic factors can play a role in many kinds of eye disease, some of which are leading causes of blindness in infants, children and adults. More than 60% of cases of blindness among infants are caused by inherited eye diseases, including:

  • Congenital cataracts.
  • Congenital glaucoma.
  • Retinal degeneration.
  • Optic atrophy.
  • Eye malformations.

There is also strong evidence that strabismus (ocular misalignment) has a genetic link. A family history is seen in about one-third of cases. In adults, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration appear to be inherited in a large portion of cases. Researchers have made significant progress in identifying the genes that cause retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease of the retina that causes night blindness and gradual vision loss. More recently, gene therapy has been used to treat a form of retinitis pigmentosa of early childhood onset.

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